Samsung vs SanDisk SSD: A Comprehensive Comparison

As an avid technology lover and passionate computer builder, I am always looking for ways to optimize my machines. One of the hardware improvements that can be made is transitioning from a standard hard disk drive (HDD) to a solid-state drive (SSD). SSDs have much faster speeds than HDDs and are much more reliable because there are no moving parts.

In this article, we are going to look at Samsung vs SanDisk SSDs in detail, distinguishing the differences between them and helping you to pick the best one for your needs.

Company Backgrounds

First, look at the history of these two storage giants. Samsung is a South Korean company founded in 1938 that makes consumer and industrial electronics. They entered the SSD market in 2006 and are now the world’s largest maker of SSDs by market share.

SanDisk is an American company founded in 1988 that specializes in flash memory products. They launched their first SSD in 2008 after acquiring SSD controller maker M-Systems. SanDisk was acquired by Western Digital in 2016 but continues to produce drives under the SanDisk brand.

Performance Differences of Samsung vs SanDisk SSD

When it comes to SSD performance, there are a few key specs to look at—sequential read/write speeds, random read/write speeds, and latency.

Sequential speeds measure how quickly large chunks of data can be read from or written to the drive. This affects things like booting Windows or copying large files. Samsung and SanDisk SSDs both offer excellent sequential read/write performance. The high-end models from both can reach over 3,000 MB/s sequential reads.

Random access speeds measure how quickly small bits of data scattered across the drive can be accessed. This affects general snappiness and loading times within Windows and games. Here, Samsung SSDs tend to have a slight edge over SanDisk. For example, the Samsung 970 EVO Plus can do up to 600,000 random read IOPS versus the SanDisk Extreme Pros up to 550,000 IOPS.

Latency is how long it takes the drive to respond to a request for data. Lower latency means faster overall responsiveness. Again, Samsung leads here with extremely low latency on their NVMe SSDs.

So, in general, the performance nod goes to Samsung, especially for random speeds and latency. However, SanDisk SSDs are no slouch. They still offer great sequential throughput and good random performance. Unless you are doing intense workstation tasks, you probably wouldn’t notice much real-world difference between a Samsung 970 EVO and SanDisk Extreme Pro in a typical desktop PC or laptop.

Reliability and Durability of Samsung vs SanDisk SSD

SSD reliability is critical since disk failures can lead to catastrophic data loss. Both Samsung and SanDisk use high-quality NAND flash memory chips and advanced controllers to ensure data integrity and drive longevity.

Most consumer SSDs today use 3D TLC NAND. Samsung and SanDisk SSDs both feature error-correcting code (ECC) technology to detect and fix errors. This allows them to match or exceed the reliability of HDDs.

When it comes to durability, SSDs have a limit on how much data can be written to them before drive components degrade. This is measured in terabytes written (TBW). Higher TBW ratings mean the SSD can withstand more writes over its lifespan.

Here Samsung leads again, offering outstanding endurance on their Pro/EVO SSDs. For example, the Samsung 870 EVO 2TB is rated for 1,150 TBW. Comparable SanDisk drives like the Extreme Pro 2TB are rated for 800 TBW.

So, if you plan on hammering your SSD with huge amounts of writes regularly, a Samsung drive may last longer before needing replacement. But both brands should easily outlive a typical 5-year usage period.

Security Features of Samsung vs SanDisk SSD

Data security is crucial for many users, especially in business contexts. Samsung SSDs come with AES 256-bit hardware encryption support to prevent unauthorized access if the drive is ever lost or stolen. Many models include TCG Opal and eDrive compliance for full-disk encryption.

SanDisk also supports AES encryption and TCG Opal on most SSDs. The SanDisk Secure Access software provides simplified encryption management. One advantage SanDisk offers is FIPS 140-2 validation, making their drives suitable for use in government and military applications with strict security requirements.

So, both brands provide excellent data protection and encryption capabilities on their SSDs. For users with high-security needs, I’d say SanDisk has a small edge. The FIPS certification is a nice bonus for their business/enterprise drives.

Software of Samsung vs SanDisk SSD

Samsung provides a robust Magician software suite for drive management and optimization. It offers conveniences like firmware updates, benchmarking, overprovisioning, secure erasure, and cloning drives. For casual users, it’s a handy set of extra tools.

SanDisk’s Dashboard software is less fully featured but still allows firmware updates, drive scanning, and temperature monitoring. For encryption management, the SanDisk Secure Access software is very user-friendly.

Overall, I prefer the Magician software as it provides more fine-grained control and diagnostics. But for the average user, both brands’ software gets the job done. The SanDisk encryption management capabilities are superior for business use.

Warranty and Support of Samsung vs SanDisk SSD

The warranty length and support level can provide peace of mind in case you encounter issues with your SSD.

Samsung provides a class-leading 5-year limited warranty on all their current SSDs. That’s two years longer than many other manufacturers. SanDisk offers between 3-5 years of warranty depending on the model.

In terms of customer support, I have had good experiences dealing with Samsung tech support when I had minor issues with one of their SSDs. SanDisk also gets high marks for its responsive customer service team.

Overall, the extra 2-year warranty makes Samsung the safer choice if warranty duration is your top priority. But both companies back up their SSDs with solid customer support experiences.

Pricing and Value of Samsung vs SanDisk SSD

One area where SanDisk shines is in pricing. For comparable specs and capacity, SanDisk SSDs are usually a decent amount cheaper than Samsung drives. Sometimes the price difference can be $20-50 on similar models.

Here are a few examples (prices as of this writing):

• SanDisk Ultra 3D 2TB SATA SSD: $160
• Samsung 870 EVO 2TB SATA SSD: $200
• SanDisk Extreme Pro 1TB NVMe SSD: $150
• Samsung 970 EVO Plus 1TB NVMe SSD: $180

Across their product stack, SanDisk manages to undercut Samsung’s pricing while still delivering fast, reliable SSDs. While Samsung’s top-tier drives offer better peak performance, SanDisk SSDs provide excellent bang for your buck. Unless you need the very highest speeds and lowest latency, you can probably save some money by going with a similar SanDisk drive.

For budget-focused shoppers or bulk purchases, SanDisk SSDs give you excellent value without sacrificing much performance. Samsung remains the premium brand but comes with a steeper price tag.

Final Thoughts

When comparing these two SSD giants, Samsung wins out in peak performance and reliability. Their cutting-edge drives boast blazing sequential and random speeds. Extensive endurance testing also gives Samsung SSDs an impressive lifespan, backed by a 5-year warranty. Their Magician software is robust and they support the latest security features.

However, SanDisk SSDs are no slouch and excel in other areas. Their drives deliver great real-world speed for consumer workloads while costing less than Samsung’s comparable models. SanDisk Secure Access makes full-disk encryption easy to manage. And their customer support team is very responsive.

So, in summary:

• Samsung is the best choice if you want the absolute fastest SSD with top-tier endurance and don’t mind paying a premium. Their Pro and EVO lines are perfect for performance enthusiasts.
• SanDisk offers nearly as good speeds at lower prices. Their drives provide excellent value and strong encryption capabilities for businesses. They are ideal if you want great performance without overspending.

Samsung or SanDisk makes good SSDs. Pick whichever one you like best. Both are good and have strong warranties. Samsung is faster and more durable, but SanDisk is cheaper. Their drives will improve your computer’s performance compared to an old hard drive.

I hope this comparison helps you understand the strengths of Samsung vs SanDisk SSDs. If you have questions, let me know!